THE Davao City Health Office (CHO) is closely monitoring individuals who had close contact with the two confirmed Monkeypox (Mpox) patients recently admitted to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
Farah May C. Clamor, head of the CHO’s City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), said that the close contacts will be observed for 21 days. She clarified that while isolation is not immediately required, these individuals are advised to monitor themselves for any symptoms of Mpox.
Clamor added that isolation will only be required if symptoms develop. She said close contacts may self-isolate at home, provided their symptoms are mild and their home environment is suitable for isolation.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-Davao) confirmed that contact tracing is ongoing. DOH Undersecretary and DOH-Davao Regional Director Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr. echoed Clamor’s advice, urging close contacts to stay home if they develop symptoms.
Clamor also assured the public that Mpox is not considered a deadly disease. However, it poses a higher risk for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
“Ang risgo mas taas kung mamatay kung ang tao aduna nay lain-laing sakit (The risk of dying is higher if a person already has various illnesses),” she said in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday, April 21, 2025.
She noted that there is currently no specific approved medication for Mpox. Treatment mainly involves supportive care, including medication to relieve pain and fever. Patients with severe symptoms should be closely monitored by healthcare professionals in medical facilities.
Clamor also encouraged anyone experiencing Mpox symptoms to visit the nearest health center for proper evaluation and care.
The CHO issued reminders to avoid close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact—such as sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and cuddling—with individuals suspected of having Mpox. If such contact is necessary, especially for caregivers, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential.
The public is also urged to maintain proper hand hygiene by using alcohol-based sanitizers or washing with soap and water. Surfaces and areas potentially contaminated by an infected person should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
To recall, the CHO confirmed two cases of Mpox at SPMC. One of the patients has since died. However, DOH-Davao clarified that both cases were of the Clade II variant of the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. Common symptoms include a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, muscle pain, back pain, and fatigue. The virus has two known clades: Clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and Clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb). RGP